| US DEXTER WHITE CASE Former US President Truman defends himself against charges of employing a Communist spy. | ||
|---|---|---|
| Tape Master: | 8164 | |
| Catalog #: | 237018 | |
| Clip Number: | 237018-1 | |
| Orginal Film: | UN 2572 B | |
| Timecode: | 01:16:18 - 01:21:02 | |
| Location: | United States | |
| Year Shot: | 1953 (Actual Year) | |
| Audio: | Yes | |
| Color: | No | |
| Headings: | BEHAVIOR, HUMAN: Gossip / Scandal GOVERNMENT: Hearings LOCATIONS/NORTH AMERICA: USA PERSONALITIES: Hoover, J. Edgar PERSONALITIES: Truman, Harry WAR & CONFLICT/COLD WAR: Espionage WAR & CONFLICT/COLD WAR: Red Scare | |
| Description: | TRUMAN SPEAKS ABOUT DEXTER WHITE CASE Former US President Truman defends himself against charges of employing a Communist spy. "White Case Stirs Nation As Leaders Testify" Kansas City, United States of America (USA). Various shots, Former American President Harry S Truman walking along street surrounded by small crowd. CU Truman speaking, "This attack is without parallel, I believe, in the history of our country. I have been accused, in effect, of knowingly betraying the security of the United States. … And in saying Harry Dexter White was known to be a Communist spy by the very people who appointed him, he lied to the American People. … I can now determine I first learned of the accusation against White early in February 1946, when an FBI report specifically discussing the activities of Harry Dexter White, was brought to my attention. This report showed that serious acquisitions had been made against White, but it pointed out that it would be practically impossible to prove these charges with the evidence then at hand. Secretary of the Treasury Vinson consulted with Attorney General Tom Clark and other government officials. When the results of these consultations were reported to me, the conclusion was reached that the appointment should be allowed to take its normal course. … I want the American people to understand, that the course we took protected the public interest and security and at the same time permitted the intensive FBI investigation then in progress to go foreword. No other course could have served both these purposes." Washington DC. Various shots of American Attorney General Herbert Brownell Jr. speaking at Senate Internal Security Committee: Defending his actions in accusing White and Truman of betrayal. "An inference has been drawn, in some quarters, from my speech, which I think in unwarranted. By lifting certain sentences out of context, it has been said that I implied the possibility the former President of the United States had been disloyal. I intended no such inference to be drawn. The matter to be determined by Mr. Truman and his associates was whether Harry Dexter White should be advanced to a post of high honor, great trust and responsibility, and a vital importance to the security of our country. If there was solid evidence at that time, establishing that White was engaged in espionage activity. Certainly no one would contend that sound and proper administration required this advancement or even continuance in government service, simply because a criminal convection could not be obtained. … The question which had to be decided at that time was not whether White could have been convicted of treason in court, there was ample evidence that he was not loyal to the interest of our country and that’s enough. Government employment is a privilege, not a right, and we don’t have to wait until a man is convicted of treason before we can remove him from a position of trust and confidence. (Applause) … Indeed, it seems to me that this explanation of White’s appointment, that is that he was appointed and allowed to remain in office for more than a year in order to help the FBI trap him as a spy, raises more questions than it answers." CU Chief of the Federal Bureau of Investigation J Edgar Hoover taking Oath. Hoover speaking, explains the actions the FBI took in 1946. "On February 21, 1946, the Attorney General informed me that he had spoken with the then Secretary of the Treasury, the late Chief Justice Vinson, and the President about White. The Attorney General stated he felt the President should personally tell White that it would be best for him not to serve. I told the Attorney General I thought it was unwise for White to serve. … I was not present in any discussions with the President concerning this matter. … enter into any agreement to shift White from his position in the Treasury Department to the International Monetary Fund." | |
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